As Australian exporters seek to re-engage with China after years of diplomatic tensions, China’s government has pledged to support foreign investment and support the private sector after a series of regulatory crackdowns during the pandemic undermined confidence in the economy. GDP rose 4.5 per cent year-on-year in the first quarter from January to March. This compared to polling of economists by Reuters which predicted growth of 4 per cent and a 2.9 per cent rise in the fourth quarter. Quarter on quarter growth was 2.2 per cent. Retail sales in the first quarter rose 5.8 per cent year-on-year compared with…